The fact that the Western Balkans is being increasingly prioritised on the European agenda is no longer sufficient To achieve real progress in EU integration, the Western Balkan countries need a clearly defined plan that includes a concrete timeframe for all six countries, writes Ilhan Kyuchyuk.

Many high-profile MEPs have been re-elected, but a significant number of them have been less lucky and have failed in their attempt to enter the new European Parliament. The EURACTIV network reports about the most prominent election casualties.

Left-wing lawmakers accused centre-right parties in the European Parliament of being in the hands of industry after the assembly voted on Tuesday (8 October) to water down proposed EU rules on tobacco control.

Attempts to introduce a Common European Sales Law are designed to boost cross-border trade. But Ursula Pachl, the deputy director-general of the European consumer group BEUC, argues that there is no evidence that the new law would achieve this and urges the Parliament – which will consider the proposal this autumn – to reject it.